Latest news with #SeriousandViolentCrimesKidnappingUnit
IOL News
28-07-2025
- IOL News
Watch: Family and friends rejoice as accused baby snatcher granted R4,000 bail
Accused baby kidnapper Samemah Jacobs surrounded by family and friends after she was granted bail at the Bellville Magistrate's Court. Image: Genevieve Serra Accused baby snatcher, Sameemah Jacobs, has been granted R4,000 bail by the Bellvillle Magistrate's Court. The verdict on Monday morning left baby Mogamat Imaad Sharmar's mother, Imaan Sharmar, in tears as she was consoled by her aunt, Jennifer Hendricks. Jacobs waved to her family in the public gallery after hearing the news that she would be seeing her three children, the youngest a minor aged seven years, for the first time since her arrest on June 30. Accused bay kidnapper Samemah Jacobs leaving the Bellville Magistrate's Court after she was granted bail. Image: Genevieve Serra Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading She wept, wiping her tears from underneath her pardah as Magistrate Gcobani Ndaleni read his findings. Gcobani's judgment hinged on the fact that Jacobs was a first time offender and that she had minor children. He said the interest of Jacobs's children had to be taken into consideration as they were currently in the care of Jacobs's friend while her mother was in hospital. He added that Jacobs did not have a history of clashing with the law and that she would not evade her trial or influence witnesses or interfere with the case. He granted bail on strict conditions, including that she is not allowed to be in the Mitchells Plain or Strandfontein community, and is not to make contact with witnesses. "The release of an accused out on bail is not the question of guilt, that is for the trial to question," he said while quoting various case laws. He also summarised the testimony of Sergeant Dawid Fortuin of the Serious and Violent Crimes Kidnapping Unit, in which he emphasised that Jacobs had suffered an ectopic pregnancy and a miscarriage and delved into the State's reasons for bail not to be granted. He added that via her lawyer, Jacobs said he was the primary caregiver for her children and that she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He said while he sympathised with the family, the State did not provide exceptional circumstances to not allow her bail. Inside court, Imaan Sharmar wept and was too emotional to speak with the media. She had to be led away by relatives. State prosecutor, Salaahuddeen Simon, said the State was still awaiting the return of vital evidence and asked for a postponement until October 15 for further investigation. Jacobs's family said they were happy she was released, but did not comment further. Outside court, Veranique "Benji" Williams of Faith and Hope Missing persons organisation, said: "What message is the courts sending out that everyone can kidnap a baby? What about the victims and the trauma that they will be suffering now that she is outside?" Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
IOL News
18-07-2025
- IOL News
Accused baby kidnapper's actions 'calculated', says officer
Sameemah Jacobs appears in the Bellville Magitsrate's Court, charged with kidnapping and defeating the administration of justice. Image: Ayanda Ndamane/ Independent Newspapers Sergeant Dawid Fortuin of the Serious and Violent Crimes Kidnapping Unit told the Bellville Magistrate's court that the actions of the woman accused of kidnapping a nine-day-old baby were calculated and posed a risk to society. Sameemah Jacobs, who faces charges of kidnapping and potentially defeating the ends of justice, appeared in court on Thursday. She was arrested two days after the disappearance of baby Mogamat Imaad Sharmar. The baby was allegedly taken from his mother, Imaan Sharmar (also known as Britney Brandt), on June 28 at Middestad Mall in Bellville. Sharmar believed she was attending a support workshop for single mothers under the banner of the Zoey Project. Jacobs was later found with the baby, who was unharmed. She was arrested following tip-offs from the community. During her bail application, Magistrate G Ndaleni raised the issue of whether keeping Jacobs in custody might infringe on the rights of her own child, referencing Section 28 of the Constitution, which protects the best interests of children. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'She is a first-time offender. Has it been proven that the accused would endanger the public?' the magistrate asked during proceedings. However, Fortuin testified that Jacobs's actions posed a risk to society. 'The victim is also a nine-day-old child. He has rights too,' Fortuin told the court. He presented a petition compiled by Faith and Hope Missing Persons founder Veranique 'Benji' Williams, which argued against Jacobs's release. Fortuin explained that the organisation had contacted him before the arrest, and that members of the community had expressed concerns about Jacobs's presence in the neighbourhood. 'The organisation informed me that they would be drafting a petition against her release,' he said. The petition, supported by a formal memorandum, called on the court to prioritise child safety and public trust in the justice system. It referenced constitutional and legal duties to protect children from harm, and warned that bail could undermine community confidence. Jacobs's Legal Aid lawyer, Asangezwa Mafuya, argued that his client was not a flight risk. He said she owns a home and vehicle, and has a seven-year-old child who depends on her. He added that Jacobs had cooperated with the police and did not resist arrest. But Fortuin disagreed, stating: 'A house you can sell and flee with the vehicle. The fact that she went with us doesn't mean she'll come to court every time.' He further alleged that Jacobs had used three different identities to mislead the victim. 'The complainant thought she was meeting someone else. The accused disguised herself and misled the victim,' he said. Fortuin also linked Jacobs to another case involving a 15-year-old girl, still under investigation, in which the same phone number was used. Mafuya questioned whether there was any evidence that Jacobs had poisoned the baby's mother, which had been suggested informally. Fortuin clarified: 'We've never alleged poisoning.' The defence proposed strict bail conditions, including house arrest and weekly reporting to police. Mafuya also submitted a counter-petition calling for Jacobs's release, with 111 signatures from residents in Eerste River, Heideveld and Manenberg. Fortuin downplayed the petition, stating that some of the pages lacked proper details and it represented a small portion of the community. He warned that house arrest would be ineffective, pointing out that Jacobs wears a pardah and could not easily be identified if she left home without permission. 'She was desperate, and there's no guarantee she won't do it again,' Fortuin said. He also testified that Jacobs falsely claimed the baby was hers, which may form part of potential obstruction of justice charges. He said she had told one witness that her husband made her confused, a statement he believed was meant to deflect responsibility. Mafuya requested a postponement to finalise an affidavit in support of bail. However, Magistrate Ndaleni criticised the delay. 'You're not ready with your affidavit – it doesn't take long to produce one,' he remarked. The matter was postponed to July 23 for the defence to complete the affidavit and for further bail arguments to be heard. Cape Times
IOL News
11-07-2025
- IOL News
'It wasn't me', accused baby snatcher claims mom gave baby to her
Sameemah Jacobs, 37, made her second appearance for her bail application in the Bellville Magistrate's Court. Image: Genevieve Serra The woman accused of kidnapping 9-day-old Mogamat Imaad Sharmar claims she did not abduct the infant or poison anyone, saying the baby was given to her by his mother, whom she had showered with money and takkies. The shocking claim was revealed by Sergeant Dawid Fortuin of the Serious and Violent Crimes Kidnapping Unit, who took the witness stand on Thursday in the Bellville Magistrate's Court where Sameemah Jacobs, 37, made her second appearance for her bail application. Fortuin had the court hanging on his every word when said hospital records suggested that Jacobs had an ectopic pregnancy in January 2024 and a miscarriage in May 2025. Fortuin dropped another bombshell when he informed the court that they were busy with a second inquiry of a pregnant 15 year old girl, who claimed she had also been visited by a woman from the "Zoey Project" - an organisation Jacobs is alleged to have claimed to work for when baby Imaad was taken. Imaad was kidnapped on June 28 from his mother, Imaan Sharmar (also known as Britney Brandt) at Middestad mall in Bellville, when Sharmar thought she was attending a workshop for single mothers with the Zoey Project. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ State prosecutor, Salaahuddeen Simon, confirmed that Jacobs was facing charges of kidnapping and defeating the ends of administrative justice. He said the State intended on amending the charge sheet with possible additional charges as the investigation was still under way. Fortuin said they had obtained a statement from a witness, who said she fetched Jacobs from the Mitchell's Plain District Hospital on June 28, 2025, with a new baby in her possession. Fortuin said the witness visited Jacobs at Bellville police station following her arrest, to question her about the baby and whether she had infact been pregnant. Imaan Sharmar, the mother of baby Mogamat Imaad Sharmar sits in the public gallery at the Bellville Magistrates' Court. Image: Genevieve Serra 'There is also a person who dropped Sameemah off in Honolulu street Tafelsig,' he said. 'This person confirms she fetched Sameemah at the Mitchell's Plain District Hospital on the afternoon of June 28. 'She confirmed that Sameemah slept at her home that night. 'She confirmed that on July 1 she visited her at the Bellville SAPS cells. 'She said she saw Sameemah, who burst into tears and she was shaking. 'She said she asked Sameemah what was going on. ''I could not tell you', Jacobs told the witness. 'She (witness) asked why? 'She (Jacobs) said everything was duurmekaar (confusing) and that her husband made her so confused.' Baby Mogamat Imaad Shamar and his mother, Imaan. Image: Ayanda Ndamane/ Independent Newspapers Next, Fortuin said the witness asked Jacobs if she took the baby, to which she answered that she did not. 'She (Jacobs) said 'no' and that the complainant gave her the baby,' said Fortuin detailing the witness's account. 'She then asked her where her (Jacobs's) baby was.(because she had been pregnant according her). 'She said she lost her baby in March 2025. 'The witness then asked her, 'so you faked your pregnancy the whole time?'. 'The witness asked how she got to Lentegeur Hospital on June 28. 'She said they did eat at Hungry Lion and had cooldrink but that she did not poison the complainant. 'She alleges that the complainant said she is going to give the baby to her 'She (Jacobs) said she gave her (Sharmar) takkies and money. 'That complainant (Sharmar) wanted more stuff but it became too much.' Sharmar, who was present inside court and support by her family, began to cry when she heard this and her family told her to be strong. Fortuin detailed how during her arrest, Jacobs had been in possession of hospital documentation such as birth records, which appeared to have had the date and time scratched out to make it appear that of June 28. He said when Jacobs was detained, they found hospital stickers of herself and that of Britney Brandt inside a bag. Fortuin added that the morning after the arrest, they visited the hospital where they requested to see records, which showed that Jacobs had an ectopic pregnancy in January 2024 and a miscarriage in May 2025. He said he asked staff why records, which had been scanned, showed that Jacobs had given birth 'twice' on June 28 and that it was clear this was not filled in by a nurse. The State then asked how long the team would need for the investigation to be completed, to which Fortuin said a period between six to eight months due to DNA, cellphone records, enhancement of the CCTV footage at the mall and more witness statements needed, among others. He also likened the case to that of the Zephany Nurse case, stating it had similarities but that in this case the infant was found within two days instead of 17 years. Cross-examination in the matter is expected to take place on July 17. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
